As COVID numbers continue to decrease, local agencies such as Asheboro Fire Department want to resume their community outreach in hopes of building connections with residents.
In 2020, the division planned its Citizen's Fire Academy program to teach people about the lives of professional firefighters, fire and life safety, and the fire service industry. That same year, the Ride-Along program launched for the public, especially people interested in the firefighter career, to ride as a guest on a department apparatus.
Capt. Jason Joines is in charge of the Fire and Life Safety program, which has been in effect for two years and four months. Through that program, the unit created the Ride-Along option, which Joines said was an absolute success in teaching younger and older adults about fire service and what the department does.
"That was a home run because it really informs the public of what we do," Joines said. "As far as the Citizen's Fire Academy, it was lined up and ready to roll. We were getting ready to start it, and then COVID hit, so we had to cancel it."
According to Joines, there are many resources in the Citizen's Fire Academy other than the department itself, including simulations and the Randolph Community College training center. "We organized an in-depth course of what the fire service does, and we're getting ready to open back up."
Joines said the city outreach programs would be open on May 3 but that the fire department wants to make sure the Citizen's Fire Academy does not fall on a holiday or day that is inconvenient. The Ride-Along program will restart once the department has people willing to reapply.
"A lot of the planning part of this will be dictated as far as the way the months fall since we have to come up with a reasonable month that people can attend because this is a dedicated program, and we want the best participation," Joines said.
On top of the previous opportunities, the office will open a new Explorer program for the City of Asheboro youth through schools, promoting it throughout the community. The program will bring young children to the fire department, where firefighters will teach classes on topics such as fire service techniques, integrity, duty, and honor.
"It goes along with the fire department's mission, and we like to help people. We're just promoting the community as a whole, and our youth is where we need to start," Joines said. "So this a plan that has been in our minds for a long time, but now since COVID is over with, it's designed, and we just have to put it in play."
The division has plans to open the explorer program, but the set date is yet to be announced. However, the department is adamant about showing the community their daily duties and opening a chapter of community engagement.
Interested residents can find more information on the fire department and its program by visiting their website.
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